Kitzbühel Alps Wildschönau

The avalanche conditions are precarious.

The avalanche conditions are precarious.

The conditions are critical for backcountry touring and other off-piste activities outside marked and open pistes. The large quantity of fresh snow and the extensive wind slabs formed by the storm force wind are prone to triggering in all aspects above the tree line, caution is to be exercised also in areas close to the tree line. The avalanche prone locations are widespread and are barely recognisable because of the poor visibility. The avalanches are medium-sized and can be released easily by a single winter sport participant. In particular on wind-loaded slopes and at the base of rock walls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain individual large avalanches are possible. With the end of the intense snowfall, the natural avalanche activity will gradually decrease. In addition a substantial danger of gliding avalanches exists. This applies on steep grassy slopes in particular below approximately 2400 m. Caution is to be exercised in areas with glide cracks. Below approximately 1600 m mostly small wet loose snow avalanches are possible.

80 to 100 cm of snow has fallen since Thursday above approximately 1200 m. The wind will be storm force. The various wind slabs have bonded insufficiently with each other and the old snowpack. Towards its base, the snowpack is well consolidated. The snowpack will be moist below approximately 1600 m.

As a consequence of the ceasing of precipitation there will be a gradual decrease in the danger of dry avalanches. The new snow and wind slabs remain in some cases prone to triggering at elevated altitudes. An increasing number of gliding avalanches are to be expected as a consequence of warming. As a consequence of solar radiation more frequent loose snow avalanches are to be expected.